Medical Malpractice

Group B Strep Can Threaten Baby During Delivery

February 1, 2012

Group B Strep is a dangerous bacteria that lives in the digestive tract and the birth canal of as many as one in four pregnant women and can cause permanent handicaps for the baby. According to…

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Proper Processes Can Stop Wrong Side Surgeries

January 15, 2012

The medical community is being called upon to make procedural changes that would significantly reduce the risk of wrong site and wrong side surgeries. Across the country, about 40 surgeries a week are performed on the…

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Medical Malpractice Concerns Rise When Pain Management Diagnoses Fail

October 7, 2011

Missed or delayed pain management diagnoses create a serious risk for hospital patients. Today’s Hospitalist found that nurses, doctors, and support staff frequently failed at communicating dosing amounts, did not conduct appropriate monitoring, and struggled to…

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Illinois Birth Injury Raises Concerns with Hospital Staff and Procedures

September 26, 2011

A family in St. Louis, Ill. is dealing with a traumatic birth injury that they blame on Memorial Hospital medical professionals. Mistakes made during the pregnancy caused their daughter to have cerebral palsy. During the baby’s…

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Illinois Physician and Medical Malpractice Records Will Soon be Public Record

August 11, 2011

The Illinois Patients’ Right to Know Act is awaiting Governor Quinn’s signature. Once enacted, the Act will allow individuals to search a licensed doctor’s history, including if the doctor has been criminally convicted, fired, or had…

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Alert: Antiepileptic Drugs Shown to Increase Birth Injuries

August 1, 2011

Women who have a history of epilepsy are frequently prescribed the anti-seizure medicine Topamax or Depakote. In pregnant women, seizures are particularly dangerous, as they can restrict oxygen to the fetus. For years, these antiepileptic drugs…

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Fumbled Handoffs Between Doctors Endanger Hospitalized Patients

June 21, 2011

Most patients in a hospital are there because they have had a heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, or suffered some sort of physical trauma. Hospitalists, or hospital-based physicians, must care for and treat numerous…

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Death and Serious Violations Undermine Quality of Life at Alden Facilities

May 17, 2011

A 10-year history of death and chronic neglect prompted Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to push for the closure of Alden Village North, a Chicago health facility for kids and young adults. Madigan also is reviewing…

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Alarming Trend of C-Sections Creates Rise in Birth Injuries

April 30, 2011

As the rate of mothers electing for a Cesarean section increases to all-time highs, so are the numbers of birth injuries. Obstetric groups and the March of Dimes recommend that women deliver by natural birth as…

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